This review dives into the Giesemann Teszla LED lighting system, evaluating its performance as an upgrade from traditional metal halide lighting for a 90-gallon reef tank. The author details their transition, highlighting the motivations behind switching to LEDs: improved color control, better temperature stability, and reduced energy costs compared to their previous 750-watt metal halide setup. The review covers the installation process, including unexpected challenges like a faulty initial light and the need for a third fixture to achieve even coverage in their tank's narrow canopy.The author thoroughly assesses the Teszla's brightness, color rendering, and energy consumption, comparing them to both their previous metal halide system and other high-end LED competitors. While praising the light's impressive output and aesthetically pleasing design, the review also addresses significant shortcomings, particularly the Teszla's rudimentary control system and the lack of built-in Wi-Fi or sophisticated features. The overall assessment considers both the advantages and disadvantages, ultimately weighing the exceptional value at a discounted price against the need for a separate controller to unlock the system's full potential.
Pros And Cons
- Color is much more adjustable than metal halide systems.
- Lower power consumption (65 watts per light) compared to metal halides.
- Bright and puts out a lot of light.
- Slot on the light allows for adjustable brackets, providing flexibility in placement and aiming.
- Good color rendering and overall appearance.
- Initial quality control issues (received a light with four non-functional LEDs).
- Replacement lights were a different color than ordered.
- Substandard color and timer controls out of the box; requires manual adjustment of each light individually.
- Timer system is difficult to set and requires unplugging the light to reset.
- Short cord length makes it difficult to position the power supply without strain on the light's port.
- Difficult to obtain replacement parts or warranty service, especially during holidays.
Read more: Top 5 NICREW Aquarium Lights
Why LEDs? The Advantages
For years, I dreamed of upgrading my reef tank lighting to LEDs. The color adjustability is a major selling point compared to metal halide systems. Metal halides require expensive bulb replacements for color changes, making experimentation costly.
Another benefit is temperature control. Even with active cooling, metal halides caused noticeable temperature fluctuations in my 90-gallon tank. LEDs promised better temperature stability and lower energy consumption.
Finally, the high running cost of my 750-watt metal halide setup (approximately $20-30/month) was a major factor in my decision to switch.
The Giesemann Teszla LEDs: Initial Impressions
The initial cost of high-end LEDs was a significant barrier. However, I found a Black Friday deal on two Giesemann Teszla LEDs, making the purchase more feasible.
Upon initial inspection, the lights seemed incredibly bright. However, I quickly noticed a problem: one light had four non-functional LEDs resulting in a patchy blue section in the tank.
Replacing the faulty light proved more challenging than expected due to the holidays and supply chain issues. It took about a month to receive a replacement. The replacement was white, not the silver I had originally ordered.
Addressing Lighting Coverage and Adjustability
My tank's narrow canopy required a third light to eliminate a dark spot in the center. This issue was similar to what I experienced with my previous metal halide setup. The close proximity to the water surface limited beam spread.
After obtaining a third light, I appreciated the bracket design, allowing for excellent adjustability in all directions. This flexibility contrasts sharply with ceiling-mounted fixtures.
The center brace of my tank still partially obstructs light from the center fixture. However, the additional light made a vast improvement in overall coverage.
Power Consumption, Brightness, and Overall Performance
Each Giesemann Teszla LED consumes approximately 65 watts, less than some high-end competitors. However, given their proximity to the water's surface in my setup, the light intensity works very well. They appear to offer comparable PAR to my old 250-watt metal halides.
The lights are unbelievably bright, even at 100%. Many users of other brands run their lights at lower percentages, suggesting the Teszla’s offer a substantial amount of light output.
The light's 10 white LEDs, plus a mix of blue and royal blue LEDs, create a pleasing color balance in my reef tank.
Controllability Issues and Potential Solutions
The Teszla’s out-of-the-box controllability is a significant drawback. The color control is rudimentary, requiring individual adjustment for each light. The timer system is also unreliable, resetting each time the power is interrupted.
Giesemann recommends using a controller like an Apex for better control. They also offer their own Bluetooth controller, which I might consider in the future. A built-in Wi-Fi controller would be an ideal solution.
The short power cord also creates stress on the light’s power port, requiring a mounting solution or cable management.
Final Verdict: A Good Value Despite Shortcomings
Despite the controllability issues, the Giesemann Teszla LEDs offer excellent brightness and color rendering at a budget-friendly price (especially with sales). The build quality is superb; the lights are beautiful.
The lack of sophisticated control is the main drawback. A third-party controller is highly recommended for improved functionality. Availability in the US seems limited at this time.
Overall, at the sale price of $250, the Teszla LEDs deliver excellent performance for my tank. For those seeking a high-quality, bright LED light at a lower price than premium brands, they’re a good option, but expect to invest in a separate controller.